SACRAMENTO - The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation today awarded Medals of Valor, the Department’s highest award for heroism and courage beyond the normal demands of correctional service to four employees: Correctional Officer Elizabeth O’Campo, Ironwood State Prison, Correctional Officer William A. Roper, Wasco State Prison, Youth Correctional Officer Benjamin Flores, Heman G. Stark Youth Correctional Facility, and Parole Agent I Jimmy Gruender, Division of Adult Parole Operations. The awards were presented by CDCR Secretary James E. Tilton at a ceremony on the West Steps of the State Capitol. Nearly 100 employees received awards that ranged from the Medal of Valor to Unit Citations.

The Medal of Valor is “earnedby employees distinguishing themselves by conspicuous bravery or heroism above and beyond the normal demands of correctional service. The employee shall display great courage in the face of immediate life-threatening peril and with full knowledge of the risk involved. The act should show professional judgment and not jeopardize operations or the lives of others.”

Correctional Officer O’Campo was honored for coming to the rescue of a fellow correctional officer after more than nine inmates attacked the officer with weapons and Officer O’Campo was herself attacked. She fended off the attack and defended the officer and also coming to the rescue of another officer who was struck in the face with a trashcan.

Correctional Officer Roper was cited for “risking his own life to save the life” of a woman whose pickup truck was on fire after a serious automobile accident. The woman had sustained two broken legs and a broken back, and Officer Roper went to her rescue and pulled her to safety.

Youth Correctional Officer Flores was recognized for intervening and protecting a youth correctional counselor who was under attack by nine wards, who were repeatedly kicking and stomping the counselor on his back, upper body, neck, head and face. In his nomination, Flores was honored for “bravery, courage and life-saving actions.”

Parole Agent I Jimmy Gruender was cited for “conspicuous bravery…in the face of immediate life-threatening peril” when he successfully located an elderly man in a burning house, bringing him to consciousness, and leading the disoriented man to safety.

Also honored at today’s ceremony were Correctional Officer Maria G. Murrieta, Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility as the 2008 Correctional Officer of the Year, and Correctional Case Records Supervisor Rhonda Baker, Mule Creek State Prison, as the 2008 Correctional Supervisor of the Year.

Complete List of 2008 Award Winners

Medal of Valor

The Medal of Valor is the Department’s highest award, earned by employees distinguishing themselves by conspicuous bravery or heroism above and beyond the normal demands of correctional service. The employee shall display great courage in the face of immediate life-threatening peril and with full knowledge of the risk involved. The act should show professional judgment and not jeopardize operations or the lives of others.

The Corrections Star (Gold) medal is the Department’s second highest award for heroic deeds under extraordinary circumstances. The employee shall display courage in the face of immediate peril in acting to save the life of another person.

The Corrections Star (Silver) medal is the Department’s third highest award for acts of bravery under extraordinary or unusual circumstances. The employee shall display courage in the face of potential peril while saving or attempting to save the life of another person or distinguish himself or herself by performing in stressful situations with exceptional tactics or judgment.

The Corrections Star (Bronze) is the Department’s award for saving a life without placing oneself in peril. The employee shall have used proper training and tactics in a professional manner to save, or clearly contribute to saving, the life of another person.

The Distinguished Service Medal is for an employee’s exemplary work conduct with the Department for a period of months or years, or involvement in a specific assignment of unusual benefit to the Department.